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Archive for the ‘Judgment’ Category

Heaven is Like … a Net (Part 1)

Posted in God's Kingdom, Heaven, Hell, Judgment, Parables, tagged , on August 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. — Matthew 13:47-50

Heaven’s kingdom has quite a draw. So many want and expect to go there — just not yet, and not the way the Bible instructs.

Some are like Mr. Formalist and Mr. Hypocrisy in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. Unlike true followers, they climb over the wall instead of entering by the gate. They saw no need to do things God’s way, theirs was easier. But they received no scroll and knew nothing of God’s path so eventually fell away.

But all those who come to Christ with a true heart of repentance have nothing to fear. Jesus said,

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. – John 6:37

— fritz@langgang.com

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A Little Game

Posted in Character, Judgment, tagged on June 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »

It’s a little game the world plays:

  • Workers play it — “I didn’t because [fill in blank]. (“I’ve been sick this week”, “My wife had surgery”, “My truck was stolen”).
  • Job recruiters play it — “You’re just what we are looking for, I’ll call you next week.”
  • Congress plays it — “I didn’t send those pictures, my Facebook account was hacked.”
  • Bosses play it — “Don’t worry, we aren’t making any staffing changes.”
  • Children play it — “The dog ate my homework.”
  • Parents play it — “Not today, but tomorrow, I promise!”

We ought to be more mature; the stories would sometimes be laughable if the character it showed wasn’t so sad ( Do they think I have an “I am Stupid!” sign across my forehead?! ). — it’s more serious than we want to think. The Bible says it’s not just the murders and whoremongers going to hell.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. – Revelation 21:8

Don’t play the game! Honor Christ!

– fritz@langgang.com

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400 Years – A Long Time to Wait for Change

Posted in Explanations, God's Patience, Judgment, Justice, Melchizedek, tagged , , on June 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Speak not thou in thine heart … saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. – Deuteronomy 9:4

Our current culture presents the idea that poor innocent natives living in harmony with nature and in accordance with their own peaceful ways were brutally massacred by ruthless people who thought they were commanded by God to destroy the land. We struggle with how a loving God could command the murder of such wise and lovely people groups!

But a second look presents a different understanding!

Long before Israel was told to conquer Canaan, God told their original patriarch there was a primary reason it would be 400 years before the promised land would be theirs – read it here:

[God] said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in [Egypt] … four hundred years; … But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. – Genesis 15:13,16

God was still at work with the inhabitants, giving them 400 years to turn from their sin.

Sin is not a Christian/Jewish concept, it’s universal. The natives weren’t living in harmony and peace — they were violent, ruthless, and sinful! God was working with them, just as with us, to turn around and do right. We read in Genesis 14 how God sent Melchizedek, a Christ-like priest/king, to serve the people in what was later known as Jerusalem.

We only have enough detail to know, for those who notice, that God did not arbitrarily decide to wipe out a bunch of out poor innocents! He worked with them 400 years showing them mercy, calling them to righteousness, offering them true peace.

The Israelites were God’s eventual judgement on a sinful people – how long should he have waited? Was 400 years not enough time to wait for change?

God, likewise, has been patient to us as a nation – sending ambassadors for His kingdom, calling for repentance, offering forgiveness. How long does he have to wait before the cry of victims and the greed of social/economic leaders is full?

– fritz@langgang.com

Related Posts: What about the Pygmies in Africa?! – January 24, 2010

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